COLOMBO, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka Customs has seized the largest haul of gold that was confiscated from an air passenger in the country's history, a senior officer said.

Customs on Tuesday seized 35 kg of gold worth 1.1 billion rupees (3.65 million U.S. dollars) from a passenger at Bandaranaike International Airport, said Seevali Arukgoda, a media spokesperson for Sri Lanka Customs, on Wednesday after completing an inspection of the smuggled goods.

He said the customs launched an initiative to tackle illegal gold smuggling into the country a few days ago and that the initiative has already borne results.

Arukgoda said the passenger with the gold had arrived from Dubai and is a frequent air traveler. ■